From July 2016, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa will offer its 2,2-litre Duratorq TDCi Ranger models with an automatic transmission.
Ford says its six-speed automatic transmission has been “specially adapted” for the 2,2-litre turbodiesel engine, which churns out 118 kW and 385 N.m.
A total of nine 2.2 TDCi automatic variants will be available (across all three body-styles), boosting the revised local Ford Ranger line-up to 36 models.
“The success of the automatic transmission option on the Ford Ranger is unprecedented, with almost 70% of buyers opting for the auto instead of the manual in the powerful 3,2-litre models,” said Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.
Delate cited “growing customer interest” in the option of an automatic transmission on the 2,2-litre models, adding that the Ranger will be “one of the first pick-ups in the LCV segment to offer an automatic transmission on the smaller-capacity intermediate derivatives”.
Pricing is set to be announced closer to launch.
